Restrained: “not excessive or extravagant” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) – “acting in a calm and controlled way” (Cambridge Dictionary). People that are, or act in, a more restrained way tend to have a thoughtful discipline, and this tends to allow reason to guide actions rather than immediate emotions. Their actions are more deliberate.
Spontaneous: “happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without any planning or without being forced” (Cambridge Dictionary). People that are, or act in, a more spontaneous way tend to live a bit more in the moment and are possibly more adaptable to changes. Their actions are more flexible.
So what does this information have to do with anything? During my Bible study this morning I started thinking about these qualities as it relates to worship. Then I thought about how my way of worshipping has changed during my Christian walk.
I spent a large part of my early life in churches that were part of a large Christian denomination. Our services and worship were pretty structured and for the most part what you could call restrained. But a number of years into my Christian walk, I had a more personal encounter with God that led me into a journey of learning to be more spontaneous with my worship. As I first was introduced to this type of worship it honestly was a bit uncomfortable – because it was so very different to what I was accustomed to. But the more I was exposed to it, the more sense it made and the more I loved it. It just felt more free and joyful. So I moved from a more restrained worshiper to a more spontaneous worshiper – even more so when I started attending non-denominational churches.
I believe that there are times and places for both types of worship; and, everyone has to make the personal decision to what their preference is – neither one is wrong or right. In fact, I find that in most services I attend there are times the worship is totally joyous and spontaneous, then can turn to a quiet and restrained worship drawing me into a more intimate time in His presence.
But I wanted to take a little deeper look into the subject. So I did an online search asking “was the worship in the temple in Biblical days restrained?” This is the answer that it gave me: “Yes, worship in the Biblical temple was highly restrained, structured, and formal.” There were physical restrictions regarding location – there were formal protocols, rituals were detailed and precise. There were restrictions on access – certain areas for certain people. It went on to say this: “In the New Testament, this restrained system is contrasted with the ‘new and living way’ brought by Jesus, where worship is not limited to a physical location but is conducted ‘in spirit and truth’.”
So as I read the scripture passages for my daily reading this morning, I had to consider what was happening and how out of character it was for the typical worship of that day. This is the story in 1 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 15 about when David moved the Ark of God to Jerusalem to the special tent he had built for it. This was such a momentous occasion that David “…summoned all Israel to Jerusalem to bring the Ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it.” (1 Chron. 15:3 NLT) Next David asked for a choir and musicians to sing and play instruments – harps, lyres, cymbals, trumpets. (1 Chron. 15:16-24)
They then went to the house where the Ark had been for three months and with great celebration began the journey to Jerusalem. Verse 28 says: “So all Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant with shouts of joy, the blowing of rams’ horns and trumpets, the crashing of cymbals, and loud playing on harps and lyres.” This was no timid, quiet celebration!
This part of the story also told in 2 Samuel 6:14-16 (NLT) has this to say: “And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns. But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him.”
David and all those with him were certainly celebrating without restraint and I would think that when David began to dance it was totally spontaneous. (Being the king, it’s doubtful he was in the streets in his priestly garments dancing on a regular basis.) It’s obvious that his wife Michal was most definitely in the arena of more restrained behavior; however, her reaction of “contempt” was rather drastic and judgmental.
After the Ark was placed in the special tent, they prepared burnt offerings, David blessed all of the people, gave them gifts, they celebrated some more, then the people left to return home. David then left for his home planning to bless his family. But the greeting he received from his wife wasn’t what he expected, I’m sure. 2 Samuel 6:20 (NLT) says: “When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, ‘How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!’” (I can just imagine the tone of voice that she used when speaking those words to her husband; and, how shocking it must’ve been for David as he was coming off a high from such a wonderful celebration!)
But David’s response to her made it obvious that in his unrestrained, enthusiastic worship of God he didn’t care about what others thought about it as he confronted her disdain (vss. 21-22 NLT): “David retorted to Michal, ‘I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!’” He was going to worship in a spontaneous way and he didn’t care what anyone else thought about it; and, apparently firmly believed he’d been in the presence of others that enjoyed and believed in the same spontaneous worship.
I believe our God appreciates us regardless of whether we are the more deliberate (restrained) or the more flexible (spontaneous) worshiper. The most important thing is that we worship him.
“Give to the Eternal the glory due His name; worship Him with lavish displays of sacred splendor.” (Psalm 29:2 VOICE)
“All together now—applause for God! Sing songs to the tune of his glory, set glory to the rhythms of his praise.” (Psalm 66:4 MSG)
“Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:19-20 MSG)
“On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.” Psalm 100:2 MSG)
Written by Karran Martin – April 23, 2026
[All bold emphasis is mine]
Karran's Korner 